The Adaptive Modifications of Snout epidermis of a hill-stream Fish Schizothorax richardsonii of Kumaun Himalaya: A SEM Investigation

摘要

Surface architecture of snout epidermis of hill-stream fish, Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray) was examined by scanningelectron microscopy, in an attempt to understand the structural and functional modifications in epithelia, in relation to life intorrential streams. Mucous pores (opening of mucous cells) and epithelial cells were visualized to have developed a densenetwork of irregularly interwoven microridges which could be interpreted as a means to retain maximum possible mucus atthe surface of the epithelial cells in S. richardsonii in order to protect against physical abrasions. Snout epidermis issubjected to more frictional stress if compared with the epidermis covering the general body surface as it is first to come incontact with water current, especially when fish swims upstream and hence correlation has been made in relation to friction.